Visitor information for inaugural addresses

General information for guests

Inaugural address

An inaugural address or lecture is a public speech delivered by a newly appointed professor. The professor (orator) gives a speech which lasts no longer than 30 minutes, and which must be understandable to the general public. The orator is given a short introduction by the laudator.

The speaker can choose to deliver the address in Dutch or English. The title of the address will indicate which language will be used.

Reception

After the inaugural address, a reception will be held in the Academy Building. All those present at the address are welcome to attend.

Time and place

Inaugural addresses are usually held in the Aula of the Academy Building on Tuesday afternoons at 4.15 p.m. The Aula is open from 3.45 p.m. onwards. A double inaugural address starts fifteen minutes earlier, at 4 p.m. All guests are welcome at the reception after the inaugural address, which begins at around 5 p.m. A cloakroom with attendant is available.

Registration

You can register by sending an e-mail to: oraties@rug.nl.Please state:

The name of the orator and the date of the inaugural address

Your own name, position, address and town/city, and the number of seats you require in the room or corona (the corona is reserved for professors)

You will not receive confirmation of your registration. Your invitation is your proof of admission. If you do not have an invitation card, you can request one in your e-mail.

Academy Building and Aula

The Aula is on the first floor of the Academy Building, Broerstraat 5, Groningen

Relatives

Relatives of the speaker should report to the officiating usher at the main entrance of the Aula. The usher will escort them to their reserved seats. They will be seated in the front rows on the window side of the Aula. A seat is usually reserved for the speaker’s partner in the first row on the left-hand side of the aisle.

Other guests

All other guests, i.e. those not related to the speaker, may choose where they wish to sit (apart from in the reserved seats). As the seats in the Aula are not reserved by name, guests are advised to be on time.

Latecomers will not be admitted through the main door to the Aula once it has been closed at 4.15 p.m. The usher can let latecomers in through the back door.

Capacity Aula

The Aula can seat 300 people. If more than 300 guests are expected, a live video of the proceedings will be broadcast in the Senate Room. Once the Aula is full, guests will be escorted to the Senate Room, where they will be able to watch the ceremony live.

Children

Children are welcome in the Aula, but it goes without saying that they should not cause any disruptions during the ceremony. Young children must therefore be accompanied by an adult, who can quickly take them outside if necessary.

Photography

Photographers may take photographs in the Aula during the ceremony. However, they must not approach the corona and are expected to be be discreet.

Borrowing gowns

Gowns, including bands and caps, are available for professors from other universities for the academic ceremony from the Academy Building Porter’s Office. These gowns cannot be reserved in advance.

Access to the Academy Building for wheelchair users and those who have difficulty walking

There is a lift in the Academy Building: guests who have difficulty walking should use the side entrance of the Academy Building and use the lift to get to the first floor. Walkers and pushchairs can be left in the hallway outside the entrance to the Aula for the duration of the ceremony.

Wheelchair users who arrive by car can use the small car park located immediately next to the Academy Building. Guests must report their arrival through the intercom on the electronically operated posts (to the left of the Academy Building).